ā
1. (particle) belonging to (more than one thing) - combines with the dual and plural personal pronouns.
(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 52-56;)
See also wā
2. (particle) has, have, owns - plural of tā (a possessive).
(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 108-110;)
3. (particle) those of, the ... of. Used as an alternative form for ngā ... a.
(Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 126;)
4. (particle) Used in the ways listed above when the possessor has, or had, control of the relationship or is dominant, active or superior to what is possessed. Thus, in most contexts in a sentence, moveable property, tools, things made by humans, food, drink (except water for drinking), husband (tāne), wife (wahine), lover (whaiāipo), children, grandchildren, people in an inferior position, plants and animals, pets and crops, and work are likely to take the a category. If the possessor is active towards the possessed the a category will also be used, including when derived nouns are used this way.
(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 54-56, 140-141;)
Kotahi rau ā taku whānau hipi i mate i te waipuke. / One hundred of my family's sheep died in the flood.
Koia nei ā Tio mahi. / This is Joe's work.
See also ā tātou
